Apparatus for filling ampoules



March 16, 1954 s. E. HARRIS ETAL 2,672,272

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs Filed Nov. 26. 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 A I/f ci?? I t March 16,1954 E, HARRlsl ET AL 2,672,272

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPOULES Filed Nov. 26, 1949 l2 Sheets-Sheet 2March 16, 1954 s. E. HARRIS ET AL APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs 12Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed NOV. 26, 1949 March 16, 1954 s E. HARRIS ETAL2,672,272

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPOULES Filed Nov. 26, 1949 l2 Sheets-Sheet 4@ggf March 16, 1954 s. E. HARRIS ET AL APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs l2Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 26, 1949 Lvllll Il A@ f fa,

7 f wir AMJ TO FLLING TUBES 4 v /0 no M Wmm l IM To PUMP March 16, 1954s. E. HARRIS ET AL APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs 12 Sheets-Sheet 6Filed Nov. 26, 1949 6/60 g4 /ef/f.

March 16, 1954 s, E, HARRIS ETAL 2,672,272

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPOULES v Filed Nov. 26. 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet 7Nllltl'l 16, 1954 s E, HARRls ETAL 2,672,272

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPOULES Filed Nov. 26, 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet 8March 16, 1954 s, E HARRIS ET AL y2,672,272

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPOULES Filed Nov. 26, 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet 9March 16, 1954 s. E. HARRIS ETAL APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs 12Sheets-Sheet l0 Filed Nov. 26, 1949 i MQ March 16, 1954 s. E. HARRISETAL APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs l2 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Nov. 26,1949 MalCh 16, 1954 s. E. HARRIS ETAL APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs 12Sheets-Sheet l2 Filed Nov. 26, 1949 a f f Patented Mar. 16, 1954APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPOULES Sidney Ernest Harris, Nutley, and carlEmil Engel, Glen Rock, N. J., assignors to Hoimann- La Roche Inc.,Nutley, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 26,1949, Serial No. 129,654

16 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for simultaneously filling aplurality of ampuls or like containers with a fluid, such as a medicinalliquid.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved ampul-llingmachine which will ll ampuls at high speed, with a minimum of humanintervention and with minimum loss due to improper lling of ampuls. Itis a further object of the invention to provide such a machine which issimple in construction, adjustment, operation, and maintenance.

To this end, the invention provides an apparatus which comprises a meansfor storing fluid. means for withdrawing a measured amountV of fluidfrom said storage means, means for dividing the withdrawn fluid into aplurality of equal portions,.and means for transferring each portioninto a respective ampul. The apparatus is also characterized by meansfor preventingthe insertion of more than a single charge into eachampul. The apparatus is further characterized by means for avoidinginternal wetting of the necks of the ampuls by the fluid with which theyare filled; the purpose of this provision is to avoid vloss of ampulsduring a subsequent step (not performed by the apparatus of thisinvention) in which the ampuls are sealed by fusing their necks; if thenecks are free of iiuid, any loss due to charring of the iiuid in thenecks, or to bursting of the seals'by gases formed from the iiuid, isavoided; The apparatus is still further characterized by means forpreventing breakage of ampuls due to improper insertion of the fillingneedles. The'apparatus is still further characterized by -means whichpermit the adjustment of the de- Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic drawing,partly in section, showing the arrangement of the elements of the deviceof Fig. 1.

Fig. L.iis aview of the clutch device, partly in section.

-Figs. 5, 6,' and 7 are views showing details 4of .the clutch device oFig. 4.

`A'FigstY and 9 are` views, partly. section and with parts broken away,showing details of the pump and the valve-device of Fig.- l.-

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the valve device gf Fig. `1, with certainparts broken away. 3,-

Fig. 11 is a view, partly in cross section, along the line I l-H of Fig.l0, looking in the direction of the arrows.y p I Fig. 12 is a top planview of the valve devicepf Fig. 1 in another position of said valvedevice, with certain parts broken away. A Y

Fig. 13 is a view, partly in cross section, along the line I3--l3 ofFig. 12, looking in the direction of the arrows. l

Figs. 14, 15, 16, and 17 are lsidey elevations, partly in section, ofthe lller box iorrningdpart of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 18 is a top plan view showingin greater detail the arrangement ofYthe valve discharge lines rand equalizing valves in the apparatus orf`Fig. l.

Fig. 19 is a plan View, partly in section, showing internal details ofthe ller bore. I y *Y l Fig. 20 is a top plan view yofla traycarrying aplurality of ampuls, ready to beinserted intoA the apparatus ofFigure 1. n Y n Fig. 21 is aplan View showingnaJ trayrof ampuls inthefiller box Vbut prior to positioning therein. Fig. 22 is a plan viewshowingl atray of ampuls after positioning in the iiller box.

Figs. 23 and 24 are plan viewsQpartlyin section, correspondingrespectively to Figs. 21 and 22.

Figs. 25 and 26 arefront elevations,H partlyin section, showing theposition of the filling needle inthe ampul and the action of th"sck''back. Figs. 27 to 33 are diagrammatic representations of successivephases in the vcycle of operation of the apparatus. v Fig.f34 is adiagrammatic view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 35 is a view, partly in section,` of a detail of the device of Fig.34.

Fig. 36 is a. diagrammatic view of a third embodiment of the invention.y

Fig. 37 is a side view, partly in section, kci a modified form of llingneedle.

Fig. 38 is a cross section alon "the line 38--38 of Fig. 37, looking inthe direction of the arrows. Fig. 39 isa side view of a modified forrfnVof clutch arrangement. 1

CONSTRUCTION OF THE DEVICE suchV that the pump withdrawsk uid from the Usource of supply on its intake cycle and discharges fluid to the fillerbox, and thus to the ampuls, on its discharge cycle, the valve deviceregulating both the intake and the discharge.

Considering the fluid lines in greater detail, supply source I isconnected to valve device 4 by a flexible tube 5, and valve device 4 isconnected on the one hand to pump 2 by a flexible tube 1 and on theother hand to filler device 5 by a plurality of flexible valve dischargelines 8. The valve discharge lines 8 are respectively connected, throughequalizing valves 9, to flexible needle discharge lines I and thus tofilling needles I I.

Pump 2 is driven as follows: Motor 3, through reduction gearing i2,drives pinion I3, in mesh with gear I4, rigidly connected to the drivinghalf I5 of a conventional solenoid-controlled pin-operated clutch |6comprising a driving half I5 and a driven half 2 I. As appears moreclearly in Figs. 3, 4, and driving half i5 rotates freely on a shaft I1journaled in frame supporting members I8, and is provided with `collarI9, ltoothed on its inner face as at 20. Driven 'half 2| of clutch 6 isto shaft il' and bears a pivoted dog 22 which is normally extended by aspring 23 into engagement with toothed inner face 20 of collar I9, asshown in Fig. 7. A pin 24 integrally connected with the armature of asolenoid 25 normally extends into the annular space between driven half2| and collar I9 of driving half I5. When extended, pin 24 engages dog22, as shown in Fig. 5, and forces dog 22 into retracted position, outof engagement with toothed surface 25. When the motor is running,driving half 5 rotates freely on shaft I1, and driven half 2i f remainsstationary, so long as pin 24 is extended. But when pin 24 is withdrawn,upon energization of solenoid 25, dog 22 is urged by its spring 23 intoengagement with toothed surface 20, and the rotation of driving half I5is imparted to driven half 2| and thus to shaft I1. This rotationcontinues only so long as dog 22 does not abut pin 24. Pin 2/1 is onlymomentarily withdrawn; the pin is then again extended, uponde-energization of solenoid 25; dog 22 is rotated until it is again inabutment with pin 24, as shown in Fig. 1, and the dog is then againretracted against driven half 2| (Fig. 5), and rotation of the latterand of shaft I1 ceases. Therefore, for each withdrawal of pin 24, drivenhalf 2| travels through one complete rotation, but only one. Shaft I1,when it does rotate, serves to rotate an eccentric 25 (Figs. 3, 8, and9), which is provided with a radial slot 21, in which is adjustablyfixed a bearing block 28, to which in turn is pivotally connected aconnecting rod 29 attached to the piston 3i] of pump 2. Eccentric 26also has attached thereto a fixed cam 3| and an adjustable cam whichlies in a circumferential recess 33' of eccentric 25, and may beadjusted to lie closer to or farther from a center line drawn throughthe leading edge of fixed cam 3|. Cams 3| and vare Aso arranged as tocontact switches |69 and I I5, respectively, at different times in thecycle of lower disc 33 as by screws 39. A port 40 communicates with thelower part of manifold 31 at its center, and a passageway 4|communicates with manifold 31 at a point near its circumference. Lowerdisc 33 is bored out on its upper face to provide a valve seat 42. Atthe center of its upper face, lower dise 33 is provided with a fixedstud 43, and on the stud is rotatably mounted upper disc 34 on a bushing44. A cap screw 45 maintains the upper disc in contact with the lowerdisc. The pressure of contact between the upper and lower discs iscontrolled by the setting of set screws 46, which are mount- `ed inbrackets 41 secured to lower disc 33 as by screws 48. A positioning pin49 is provided to assist in positioning bracket 41 on lower disc 33during assembly of the parts. Upper disc 34 is further provided on itslower surface with an abutment 50, which mates with and seats in valveseat 42. An anti-friction liner 5| of soft metal is xed to the lowersurface of abutment 5U, and the surface of contact between the liner andvalve seat 42 is suitably lubricated. A circumferential groove 52 in thevalve seat is provided to collect excess lubricant.

Upper disc 34 is also provided with a passageway 53 and a correspondingvalve intake port 54 on the upper surface of the disc. A matingpassageway y55 is provided in liner 5|. In the relative position of theupper and lower discs illustrated in Figs. l0 and 1l, passageways 53 and55 and port 54 are in register with passageway 4| in lower disc 33, butupon partial rotation of the upper disc as illustrated in Figs. 12 and13, passageways 53 and 55 and port 54 are brought out of register withpassageway 4I. Upper disc 34 is further provided with a plurality(sixteen in the embodiment shown, corresponding in number to the numberof filling needles in the filler box, to be hereinafter described) ofpassageways 56 and corresponding valve discharge ports 51. A pluralityof mating passageways 58 are provided in liner 5 I. In the relativeposition of the upper and lower discs shown in Figs. l2 and 13,passageways 56 and 58 and ports 51 are respectively in register with aplurality of corresponding passageways 59 in lower disc 3'3communicating with manifold 31, but upon partial rotation of the upperdise to the position shown in Figs. 10 and 11, passageways 56 and 58 andports 51 are brought out of register with passageways 59. It will beapparent, then, that when the parts 4|, 53, 54, and 55 are all inregister, the parts 56, 51, 58, and 59 are out of register (Figs. l0 and1l), but conversely, when the parts 56, 51, 58, and 59 are in register,the parts 4I, 53, 54, and 55 are out of register (Figs. l2 and 13).

Flexible intake tube 5 is connected to valve intake port 54, andflexible valve discharge lines v8 are connected to respective valvedischarge ports 51.

Fixed to an arc of upper disc 34, as by screws 59, is a sector gear Bt,in mesh with a rack 6I mounted to reciprocate in a guide 62. The guideis secured to the main supporting frame of the device, as by threadedrods 63 and nuts 64. As shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 3, oneend of rack 6| is integrally connected with the common armature 55 of apair of solenoids 66 and 61. These are so arranged that uponenergization, solenoid 66 pushes the armature toward the valve device,while solenoid 61 upon energization pushes the armature away from thevalve device.

Considering now the filler box in greater devtof/theV main'supporting'Structure of the lling apparatus-(Figsf and 19).` Journaledini-crossmembers of. frame 68 is*Y ashaft BSI-which carries a pair ofgears 'Iii adjacent to and'interiorly of the side walls' of frame 68.rShaft 69 is extended exteriorly of frame 68 and has secured thereto attheexterlor end'an operating handle 1I. A second shaft 12 is Ajournaledin crossmembers of frame 68,' and carries at its ends a pair of ygears13, whichk mesh withk respective gears10.

The main supporting structure includes a'pair of vertically disposedguides 14 (Fig. 14) in which are slidably mounted a pair of racks 15,extending upwardly into the' interiorofframe 68. At their upperendsfracks 'I5 arev toothed as at 'I6 to mesh with gears 13.' Fixed 'toracks 15, Aa's by brackets 11, is a horizontal riser plate 18, disposedfor up-and-downinovement' in an opening 'I9 in front panel 8e of frame68.' Exteriorly ofiront panel 88, riser p`ate 18 carries an invertedL-shaped angle 8i, the horizontal leg 82 .of which is notched as at 83(see Fig. 21)` for a purpose to be hereinafter' explained. The notchesare aligned with respective iilling needles Il, as shown in Fig. 2'.Along its front edge, riser plate .18 carries a hinge-flap comprising acylinder 84, Yeccentrically hinged asfat 85 (see Fig. 15) and providedat its ends with a pair of arms 86 (Fig.

2) to support a striker bar 81 parallel to cylinder 84. A

A .yoke '88, hung above -angle 8|, as by hangers 88 (see Figs. `2 and14) supports a plurality (sixteen, in the embodiment illustrated) 'L lof generally cylindrical ampul guides 89, slidable for up-and-downmovement in yoke 88. The bottom faces of ampul guides 89 arecountersunk, as shown at 98, and the countersinks communicate withcentral bores SI in the guides 89.

An upper yoke 92, secured to front panel 80, supports hangers 88' and aplurality of filling Vneedles I I (sixteen in the embodiment shown)which pass into central bores 9|. When ampul guides 89 are-in lowermostposition (Fig. 14) the ends of needles I I do not extend intocountersinks 90, but when the ampul guides are vraised (Fig. 17) theneedles extend lower than the countersinks. y

Frame 68 also includes atop panel 93, which supports a topyoke 94wherein ,are mounted equalizing valves 9, one for each .filling 'needleIl. A pair of stop rods, 95 and. 96, threaded at their upper ends,areadjustably mounted, as by lock nuts S1, at the approximate center ofthe l top panel 93 .(see Fig. 15)'. y

Riser plate 18 at its rear edge is provided with a pair of anti-frictionArollers 98V (Fig. 19), .and

ystop |84, provided in the bottom panel of frame 58.. The switches areelectrically connected with sliding {contacts' H15. whichl slide'along*A contact bars I 86,' provided inthe rearpanel lof vframe A68. By,means `of thes'ef'contacts, switches" 99 and' I'Il are electricallyconnected to other 'electrical parts OPER Theopration' qfthe "device maybeexplained 'as follows :jForwv convenie'nce'l vnQhauidIing, the am-'puls to' be'iilledVv are loade'ddnto trays, and conveniently each traywill contain a number of 'ampuls 1cprrespondin`g to the number of`illing needles (sixteen' in j the embodiment shown), as 4s howrriinFigzzc; '-'A surment-numberof trays for steaidy'jfeedingjis imaintainedat one sideoff the' machine', convenientlyith'e left sideV asL seen 'inFig. l. The operator, seated in seat I01, slides the loaded tray o ntoriser yplate 18 (which is'now atthe"bottomoff'itsftravel, as shown inFig. 14) ibetw'eenLf-angle' 8l and' cylinder 84 of the hinge ilap (s eeFigs. '2,1"and 23). YfThe operator then raises theL hinge iiap 'towardvertical position; `e cc ntrically mountedcylinder 84 thus moves the'tray 'toward the verticalleg of L-'angle 8I`, and strikrbar81jconta'cts the necks'of the ampuls urgesthem` into respective notches83 in horizontal leg 82,ojf' L -angle 8| (Figs. 22 and 24). 'The 'ampulsare thus 'positioned under respective j'llingneedlesl I. Now, theoperator pullshandle Il Vtowards her, and A gears 18 rotate gears 13 toelevate racks 15 and 'th'us'to' elevate the riser plate. `'I l1e:"r`iecks of the ampuls'are thereby brought into registration withrespective countersinks 90, which" "serve "to 'center' the ampul neckswith relation to respective filling needles I I., As the riser platecontinueslto rise, the ampul guides are'jforced :upwards and llingneedles jII pass into the necks 'of the -respective ampuls,

see' Fig. 1'5; at'this timefthe operator moves the hinge-flap back tothe position shown in Fig. 15. The exact positionof needlesII in yoke 92isso "adjusted, `as1by setl screws SG1, that when riser plate 18 isA attheftop of its travel, the ends of the iilling needles extend just belowthe constrictions kin the necks of the respective ampuls, as shown inFig-25; It will be evident' that, by means of the L-angle, thhinge-iiapand the ampul guides, accidental breakage of `ampuls Aby the fillingneedles is avoided. l

Whenthe ampuls'have been filled, by the operation of the machine shortlyto be described, the operator pushes handle 1I back, away from her, andthe riser plate moves to its bottom position.

yThe operator then slides in a second tray of ampuls from the left,which has the effect o f pushing the'tray of filled ampuls onto aconveyor belt'I08j(Fig. 2), by means of which the tray'of lledampuls iscarried to a suitable sealin'g devicev (not 'part of the invention) forsealing the necks of the ampuls by fusing said necks.

-f'ifTh'ey operations of the' machine which transfer fluid Afrom thesupply7 sorce'to the ampuls may 'best-be understood from Aa"considerationy of Figs.

`3y a'nd`27 i033. lMotor 3 is controlled by a main switch -I 25 inAthepower line, and the motor therefore v'operates continuously ywhilethemachine is beingused'. Solenoid 2 5 which controls clutch I6 isitself:controlledy by the two switches 99 Vand IDU; 'since theseare"connecte`d in series `with each other, itis lapparent that solenoid25 willbe energized-only whenswitc'hes ligand IDU aire -both' closed.lSolenoid 66 is'controlled by 'switch H39` and :is energized' onlyduring the periodl that switch IBB' is closed; i. le., duringl con- Thecycle of operation of the device may be traced in Figs. 27 to 33. Fig.27 represents the starting point in the cycle: Operating handle Il isall the Wayback; the riser plate is all the way down. Solenoid 25 is notenergized, consequently pin 24 is extended and Clutch I6 is disengaged.Eccentric 2S is stationary, and the fixed cam 3| is some distance awayfrom contact with its switch |09. Upper valve disc 34 is so positionedthat the pump is connected to the supply source. The pump piston is justshort of the bottom of its stroke. The motor is running, but all otherparts of the device are stationary, and this may be considered the.idling position of the machine.

Now, when the operator pulls the handle towards her (Fig. 28) the riserplate begins to rise. The normally open switch 99 is closed; sinceswitch IBI] is also closed, current flows to solenoid 25, as indicatedby the heavy black circuit lines, and pin 24 is withdrawn. The clutchengages, and permits the motor to rotate the eccentric; cam 3| is thusbrought into contact with switch 28e and the circuit through the latteris closed, thus energizing solenoid B5, as indicated by the heavy blackcircuit lines. Rack 6| is pushed toward the valve, thus rotating uppervalve disc 34, so that the pump is at this point connected to dischargelines 3 and thus to the filling needles; the pump piston is at the verybotllmm of its stroke, ready to begin its discharge cyc e.

Fig. 29 shows the condition an instant later: The riser plate has risento its top position. Switch |90, which was previously closed, is nowopened by contact with front stop rod 95. The circuit to solenoid 25 isopened, the solenoid is de-energized, and pin 24 is again extended.However, since clog 22 is now past pin 24, the clutch remains engaged.Eccentric 2S is rotated further so that cam 3| is now past its contactwith switch |69. The circuits to solenoids 66 and 61 are open and thesolenoids are not energized. The rack remains stationary, and upper disc34 remains in the same position as in Fig. 28. The pump piston beginsits discharge stroke and luid flows out of the discharge lines andneedles I I into the ampuls.

In Fig. 30, the operating handle is still all the way forward, and theriser plate is still at its top position, with the ampuls in llingposition. Switch H39 is still open, and no current flows to solenoid 25,so that pin 24 remains extended; but

since dog 22 is now past pin 24, the clutch remains engaged. Eccentric28 is rotated further,

so that cam 32 approaches its contact with switch I IG. The circuits tosolenoids 65 and 6l are open and the solenoids are not energized. Therack remains stationary, and upper disc 34 remains in the same positionas in lFig. 28. The pump piston has reached the very top of itsdischarge stroke and uid has just ceased flowing from the iillingneedles, but a drop of uid remains at-the tip of each filling needle, asshown in Fig. 25 and diagrammatically at in Fig. 30.

In Fig. 3l, the positions of the operating handle, the riser plate andswitches 89 and |28 remain the same as in Fig. 30. No current ows tosolenoid 25, and pin 24 remains extended. However, dcg 22 is now pastthe pin and the clutch remains engaged; thus eccentric 25 continues torotate, and cam 32 is now about to contact switch I I0. However, thecircuits t-o .solenoids SEV-and 61 lare stlllopen and the solenoids arenot energized, so that the rack remains staticnaryand Cil `uprzerdisc-34 remains in the Same position as in Fig. 28, that is, the pump isstill connected to the needle discharge lines. The pump piston nowbegins its return stroke, thus creating suction in the discharge linesso that the liquid at the tips of the filling needles is sucked-back, asindicated diagrammatically at II in Fig. 3l. The importance of thesuck-back" operation is that no excess liquid remains on the llingneedles to wet the necks of the ampuls as these are withdrawn from theneedles.

In Fig. 32, the positions of handle 'I i, riser plate '53, switches 99and |08, and pin 24 remain unchanged. Clutch |6 remains in engagement,and eccentric 26 continues to rotate, thus bringing cam 32 intomomentary contact with switch IIS, and closing the circuit to solenoid61, .as indicated by the heavy black circuit lines. Rack 6| is nowpulled away from the valve device, thus rotating upper disc 34 so thatpump 2 is now connected to the source of supply through intake line Ii.The pump piston continues its return stroke and commences the intake ofuid into the cylinder from the source. this time the suck-back has beencompleted, as indicated in Fig. 26 and diagrammatically at II in Fig.32.

Fig. 33 indicates the next step. The operator, hearing the click due tothe shift of upper valve disc 34 (Fig. 32) knows that the nlling stephas been completed and that intake from the source begun; she thereforepushes operating handle 'Il away from her, thus beginning the loweringof riser plate l2 with its tray of filled ampuls. As the riser plate islowered, switches 92 and IDG are brought out of physical contact withtheir respective stop rods 95 and Spring-loaded button lili of switch 99now flies up and switch 9S is again open. Switch |56 remains open, sinceits top button |62 remains depressed. Both switches being open, nocurrent flows to solenoid 25, and pin 24 remains extended. However, theclutch remains engaged and eccentric 25 continues to rotate, now takingcam 32 farther away from switch lll! and bringing cam 3| closer tovswitch |99. Switches |139 and IIE! are open, no current flows tosolenoids G6 and 67, rack GI remains stationary, upper valve disc 24remains in the same position as in Fig. 32, that is, the pump isconnected to the supply source, and the pump piston continues its returnstroke and its intake of uid from the supply source. No liquid isdischarged from the lling needles.

Fig. 27 represents the end of the cycle of operation, as well as thebeginning. Operating handle 'il is now all the way back, and riser plate'I8 is now at the bottom of its travel. Bottom button |233 has contactedbottom stop 504, thus closing switch |08. However, switch 99 remainsopen, and therefore no current flows to solenoid 25, so that pin 24remains extended. Dog 22 has now contacted pin 24 and has beenretracted, so that clutch IG is again disengaged. Eccentric 26 isstationary, with both cams 3| and 32 out of contact with theirrespective switches |89 and ||0. Solenoids 66 and 61 are not energized,rack 6| is stationary, valve disc 34 also remains in the same position,and the pump is connected to the supply source. The pump piston isalmost at the bottom of its stroke and the intake of fluid is almostcompleted. Only the motor is now running, the pump and the eccentric arestationary, and the machine is at the ,vidling position. It is at thistime that the loperator slides -in a fresh tray of unfilled ampuls, thuspushing the tray of iilled ampuls onto the conveyor belt (Fig. 2).

gif-,37.32272 MODIFICA'IIONSV The invention may be embodied in devicesother than the particular embodiment described above. Another form ofthe invention isillustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 34, and may beconsidered a modification of the device of-Fig. 3. In the device of 3,theintake valve, the'manifold, and the discharge valve are incorporatedinto a single structure, i. e., valve device d; but in the modificationof Fig. 34, these functions are separated. In the modification of Fig.34, intake of fluid into the pump and discharge of fluid froml the pumpare controlled by a three-Way valve 20|, which is operated by a rod 202connected to common armature 35 of solenoids 65 and 3'?.` The manifoldis a separate structure and may take the form of a tubular chamber 203,closed at one end by a cap 20d and at theother end by asuitable lteringdevice 205. A manifold feed line 203 conducts uid from three-way valve20| to filter 205, and a plurality of manifold discharge lines 20?conducts iiuid from the manifold to respective equalizing valves 3,thence to respective needle discharge lines 208 and needles I I. A line209 conducts fluid from a source of supply to three-way valve 20|, and aline 2|0 Aconducts fluid between said valve and pump 2.

At the instant represented in Fig. 34, valve 23| is in intake position,the pump piston is at the bottom of its stroke, the lpump cylinder isfull, fixed cam 3| is just ahead of the point of contact with switch|00, and therefore solenoid 66 is about to be energized. In thearrangement of Fig. 34, solenoid 56, when` energized,lthrows three-wayvalve 20| into discharge position, in which pump 2 is connected .tomanifold12|l-3- After solenoid 03 has been energized and the valve hasmoved ,to discharge position, the pumppiston moves to the top of itsstroke, forcing ii'uid through lter 205 into manifold 203 and thus intodischarge lines 267|. The pump piston then starts its return stroke,suck-back offluid ,from needles |I occurs, and at the instant whenadjustable cam 32 contacts switch IIO, suck-backis completed, solenoidis energized, throws valve 20| into intake position, and the pumpcylinder is filled from the source of supply.

In the modification, of vFigrSl'A the discharge cut-off valve is betweenthe pump and the manifold (not between Ythe manifold and the fillingneedles, as in the embodiment of Fig. 3). Therefore, in the device ofFig.v 34, there is no positive cut-ofi between the manifold and lthefilling needles. At the end of suck-back,A the liquid level in dischargelines 208 must be above the liquid level in manifold 203, or otherwisethe fiuid in the manifold would siphon out of the manifold through thedischarge lines and the filling needles. For this reason, lines 208 areformed into goosenecksf or elevated bends', 2 I and the relationship ofcam 32 to cam 3| is so adjusted that the liquid level 2|2 in goosenecks2II at the end of suck-back is above the liquid level in manifold 203(see Fig.'34 and detail in Fig. 35).

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 36, the intake and the dischargecut-off'valves are embodied in a three-way valve 300, but the manifoldis part of a valve device'30I, which also embodies in the same 'unitarystructure manifold discharge cut-off valves between the manifold andrespective discharge lines 8. In the modification of Fig. 36, valvedevice 30| is essentially similar to valve device 4 illustrated in Figs.11 and 13, except that port 54 and passageways 4|, 53, and 55are Ielixnirlatsed'"their `'function being 10 served by three-way valve 300.Valve device 30| comprises an upper and a lower disc, the lower discbeing formed with a manifold 3l, a port 40, and a pluralityofpassageways 50 as in the device of Figs. 11 and 13, but lacking,rpassageway 4| of the device of Figs. 11 and 13. The upper disc is formedwith a plurality of passageways 516 and ports 5l, which may be broughtinto or out of register with corresponding passageways 59 in the lowerdisc, but the upper disc lacks the structures 53 and 54 found in Fig.1l. Antifriction liner is attached to the upper disc, and haspassageways 58, corresponding with respective passageways 56, but lackspassageway 55 of the liner of Fig. 1l. A line 302 conducts fluid fromthree-way valve 300 to valve device 30|, a line 303 conducts fiuid fromthe source of supply to three-way valve 300, and a line 304 conductsfluid between three-way valve 300 and pump 2.v Valve 300 is shifted by asector gear 305, which is in mesh with a rack 306 rigidly connected tothe common armature 55 of solenoids 66 and 6l. Y

y At the instant represented in Fig. 36, the valve 300 is in intakeposition, the pump piston is at the bottom of its stroke, the pumpcylinder is full, fixed cam 3| is just ahead of the point of contactwith switch |09 and therefore solenoid 66 is about to be energized. Inthe arrangement of Fig. 36, solenoid 60, when energized, throws thevalve 300 into discharge position, in which pump 2 is connected withmanifold 3l, and also simultaneously throws valve device 30| into openor discharge position, in which discharge lines 8 (with respective ports5'I and passageways 56 and 58) are in registration with passageways 50in the lower disc. After the solenoid 66 has been energized and valve300 and valve device 30| thrown into discharge positions, the pumppiston travels to the top of its stroke, forcing fluid into fillingneedles I and into the ampuls. The pump piston then starts its returnstroke, suckback of fluid from needles II occurs, and at the instantwhen suck-back is completed, solenoid 6l is energized, throws valve 300into intake position and closes valve device 30|, and

the pump cylinder is again filled from the source of supply.

In the modification of Fig. 36, the positive cutoff of iiuid between themanifold and the filling needles, furnished by valve device 30|,obviates the need for goosenecks in the discharge lines 8. In thisrespect, the devices of Figs. 3 and 36 are similar.

Figs. 37 and 38 illustrate a modified form of filling needle, in whichthe central tubular liquid channel 40| is provided with a concentricannular gas channel 402, the latter being in communication with aside-arm 403. A gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide may be introducedinto side-arm 403 at the same time that liquid is introduced intochannel 40|, where there is a need for filling ampuls in an inertatmosphere.

Fig. 39 illustrates a modified form of gearing, wherein the meshinggears which transfer the motive power from reduction gears I2 to clutchI6 are beveled gears, rather than spur gears as in Fig. 3. The detail ofFig. 4 also shows gear I4 as a beveled gear.

Pump 2 is illustrated in the drawings as a syringe type of pump, but itwill be apparent that any pump having separate intake and dischargecycles may be employed. In the syringe type of pump illustrated in thedrawings, the amount of fiuid withdrawn by the pump from the apra-'cvescurce of supply on the intake cycle, Vand delivered at the fillingneedles on the discharge cycle, may be adjusted by altering the lengthof stroke, as by moving bearing block 28 up or down in radial slot 21.Where a greater adjustment is desired in the amount of iiuid delivered,it will sufce to replace the cylinder and the pistn o'f the pump bylarger r smaller corresponding parts. By using 'a series of pistons andcylinders, of different sizes but having interchangeable fittings, theapparatus may be adapted to fill ainp'uls having a wide range ofcapacity.

The preferred 'number o'f filling needles, as illustrated 'in thedrawings, is sixteen. Ampuls 'are ordinarily supplied in boxes eachcontainin'ga g'rs's, arranged in nine rows of sixteen ampuls per row;and in filling the trays (Fig. ift will usuall'ybe V(':onvenien't toload 'the ampuls 'inte nine trays, each 'containing sixteen ampuls. 'Iti's te be understood, however, that a 'smaller ,''r `'greater number c'fampuls thanl sixteen may be filled at each loading Vif the machine,-de'- pending uppn the number of ampuls which it is desired 'to dll 'andf'r 'which filling needles are provided. I

-The -function 'of'the edualizing vvalves '9 is to fjdj''st the rate ofnw from each suing 'needle yIl, -sfo that the tbt'al amount 'o'i' 'l'liddisplaced by, 'the 'pump 'on each discharge 'c'ycle will be 'equallysubdivided ainrig the respective filling needles, 'and so tha't thesewill 'deliver identical 'ainon't's 'of fluid 'to 'the 'respectiveampuls. 'cn'veni'ent 'forin "of adjustable flow-'ccntrolling vali/efe.vgfa needle valve, may be used 'a't '9.

` The ie'se'rvoirpr 'so'urce ci supply l is 'shown in the drawing (Fig.1') asa bo'ttle 5B1, which 'is replenished by 'tw'ov larger bottles 502and '553. B'o'ttle l may bet'is'ola'ted from the larger bottle's, as byclamps l5011i and 505, 's'o that either or bth f 4'the'larger 'bottlesmay 'be replaced withb't interrupting the cc'n'tin'uit'y of operations.I't sheuld 'be'iinders'teodhowever, that any other 'fim ofreserv'oir brsource 'o'f s'pplymay `be used. Specific "frins 'f vcdn'struc'tiri andarrangelment have been 'described ab'dve fr purposes f expianaudn. butit will 'be 'bvious 'that 'various indications inay be 'in'ade within-the 's'c'cpe of thednvention, which is claimedas follows:

1. A 'device for simultaneusiy suing 'a ,piur'ality ef ampulswhich'eeinprises 'a puinp, means for connecting 'said'pump alternatelytoa s'cur'ce 'df supply of fluid and Ato 'a'pluralit'y 'of dischargemeans, a plate for carrying 'a plurality of ampuls'an'd movable between'an ainpul-loading position 'in 'which 'Said a'riipill's 'are vloaded'Ont'O "said .'p'l'alt'e 'and 'an 'a'inp'ul-'lling `position in whichsaid 'a'r'n'p'uls are respectively V'presented to 'said discharge means,a continuously operfated'source of 'motive power, a sol'e'ncid-'cntrlledpin-'operated clutch for intermittently transferring 'motive power tosaid pump, 'and switch 'means cnt'rolling said solenoid, said 'swit'chmeans 'bein'g closed inomen't'mily 'once during the `cycle 'of travel ofsaid plate between 'ampul-l'oading 'and 'ampul-llin'g positions andbeingv open vat all 'o'th'e'r times during s'a'id'cycle of travel.

2. 'A device for simultaneously lling a plurality of ampuls whichcomprises a 'source of 'supply f fluid, 'a pump having -an 'intake cycle'and 'a vdischarge cycleand connected to 'said sbin-ceja manifoldconnected to said pump, '"apl'uralit'yof 4discharge m'e'an's'conne'ctedto said manif'o'ld, rs't valve means controlling passage of iiiidbtween'said s'urce'and 'said'pmp second valve means controlling passageof fluid between said pump and said discharge means, means synchronizedwith said pump for keeping said first valve means closed and said secondvalve means open during the discharge cycle of said pump and a minorportion of its succeeding intake cycle, and means synchronized with saidpump for keeping said iirst valve means open and s, ..1 second valvemeans closed during the remainder of said intake cycle.

3. A device according to claim 2 in which each of said discharge meansis further provided with an adjustable valve for controlling the rate ofdischarge from said respective discharge means.

4. A device for simultaneously lling a plurality of ampuls whichcomprises a reservoir for uid, an intake valve connected to saidreservoir, a pump having an intake cycle and a discharge cycle andconnected to said intake valve, a manifold connected to said pump, aplurality of discharge valves connected to said manifold, meanssynchronized with said pump to keep said discharge valves open and saidintake valve closed during the discharge cycle of said pump and a minorportion of its succeeding intake cycle, means synchronized with saidpump for keeping said discharge valves closed and said intake valve openduring the remainder of said intake cycle, and a plurality of dischargemeans respectively connected to said discharge valves.

5. A device according to claim 4 in which each of said discharge meansis further provided with an adjustable valve for controlling the rate oidischarge from said respective discharge means.

6. A device for simultaneously filling a plurality of ampuls whichcomprises: a source of supply of fluid, a manifold device provided witha chamber and with a plurality of discharge means communicating withsaid chamber, a pump having an intake cycle and a discharge cycle andconnected through a three-way valve alternately to said source and tosaid chamber, said three-way valve in its iirst position conne-" ingsaid pump to said chamber, and in its second position connecting saidpump to said source, means synchronized with said pump to l`- "i saidvalve in its first position during the charge cycle of said pump and aminor pm 1 of its succeeding intake cycle, and means synchronized withsaid pump to keep said valve its second position during the remainder ofintake cycle.

7. A device according to claim 6, in which each of said discharge meansis further provided with an adjustable valve for controlling the rate ofdischarge from said respective discharge means.

8. A device according to claim 6, in which said manifold device isfurther provided with a plurality of manifold rvalves controllingpassage cf fluid between the chamber and the respective discharge means,'and means synchronized with said pump to keep said manifold valves openduring said first position of said three-way valve and closed duringsaid second position of said three-way valve.

9. A device for simultaneously filling a Vplurality of ampulswhich'comprises: a pump having an intake cycle and 'a discharge cycle; avalve. connected to said pump 'and comprising a fixe-:l lower discprovided with a manifold, an intake passage leading thereto 'and 'aplurality of discharge passages leading therefromyand an upper discconcentric with and rotatable on said'lower disc between jan 'intakeposition and 'a :discharge position' vand"'l'ircvi'ded'withan "intake'port'iregi'stering with said intake passage in intake position but notin discharge position, and a plurality of discharge ports respectivelyregistering with said discharge passages in discharge position but no?.in intake position; means synchronized with said pump to rotate theupper disc to discharge position at the end of the intake cycle of saidpump; and means synchronized with said pump to rotate the upper disc tointake position shortly after the beginning ofthe intake cycle of saidpump.

10. A device for simultaneously filling a plurality of ampuls whichcomprises: a source of supply of iiuid; a pump having an intake cycleand a discharge cycle; a valve device comprising a xed lower discprovided with a chamber and with an intake passage, a pump port andaplurality of discharge passages communicating with said chamber, andalso comprising an upper disc concentric with an rotatable on said lowerdisc between an intake position and a discharge posi-- tion and providedwith an intake port registering with said intake passage in intakeposition but not in discharge position and a plurality of dischargeports registering respectively with said discharge passages in dischargeposition but not in intake position; said intake port being connected tosaid source of supply, said pump port being connected to said pump andsaid discharge ports being respectively connected to a plurality ofdischarge means; means synchronized with said pump to rotate said upperdisc to discharge position at the end of the intake cycle of said pump;and means synchronized with said pump to rotate said upper disc tointake position shortly after the beginning of the intake cycle of saidpump.

l1. A device according to claim in which each of said discharge means isfurther provided with an adjustable Valve for controlling the rate ofdischarge from said respective discharge means.

12. A device for simultaneously filling a plurality of ampuls whichcomprises a source of supply of fluid, a pump having an intake cycle anda discharge cycle and connected to said source, a manifold connected tosaid pump, a plurality of discharge means connected to said manifold,rst valve means controlling passage of uid between said pump and saidsource, second valve means controlling passage of uid between said pumpand said discharge means, rst solenoid means for simultaneously closingsaid iirst valve means and opening said second valve means, a secondsolenoid means for simultaneously opening said rst valve means andclosing said second valve means, a first switch which, when closed,energizes said rst solenoid means, a second switch which, when closed,energizes said second solenoid means, a fixed cam means set to closesaid first switch at the end of the intake cycle of said pump, and anadjustable cam means set to close said second switch at an adjustableshort interval after the beginning of the intake cycle of said pump.

13. A device for simultaneously lling a plurality of ampuls whichcomprises: a source of supply of fluid; a pump having an intake cycleand a discharge cycle; a valve device comprising a fixed lower discprovided with a chamber and with an intake passage, a pump port and aplurality of discharge passages communicating with said chamber, andalso comprising an upper disc concentric with and rotatable on saidlower disc between an intake position and a discharge po- 14 sition andprovidedwith 'an ntakeport register-e, ing with said intake passage inintake position but not in discharge .position and. a .pluralityofdischarge ports registering respectively with said discharge passages.ini discharge position but not in intake position; said intake portbeing connected to said source of supply, said pumpport being connectedto said pump and said discharge ports being respectively connect'e'dto'la plurality of discharge lines, each. of said discharge lines beingprovided with an adjustable valve to regulate the rateof discharge.therefrom; `a rst solenoid means for throwing said upper disc intodischarge position; a second solenoid means for throwing4 said upperdisc into intake position; a' rirst switch which, when closed, energizessaid first solenoid means; a second switch which, when' closed,energizes said second solenoid means; a iixed cam means set to closesaid rst switchat Athe end of the intake cycle of lsaid pump; and anadjustable cam means set to close said second switch at anadjustableshort interval after thebeginning of `the intake cycle of said pump.

14. A device for simultaneously lling a plurality of ampuls whichcomprises: a source of supply oi fluid; a pump having an intake cycleand a discharge cycle; a valve device comprising a fixed lower discprovided with a chamber and with an intake passage, a pump port and aplurality of discharge passages communicating with said chamber, andalso comprising an upper disc concentric with and rotatable on saidlower disc between an intake position and a. discharge position andprovided with an intake port registering with said intake passage inintake position but not in discharge position and a plurality ofdischarge ports registering respectively with said discharge passages indischarge position but not in intake position; said intake port beingconnected to said source of supply, said pump port being connected tosaid pump and said discharge ports being respectively connected to aplurality of discharge lines, each of said discharge lines beingprovided with an adjustable valve to regulate the rate of dischargetherefrom; means synchronized with said pump to keep said upper disc indischarge position during the discharge cycle of the pump and a minorportion of its succeeding intake cycle; means synchronized with saidpump to keep said upper disc in intake position during the remainder ofsaid intake cycle; a plate for carrying a plurality of ampuls andvertically reciprocable between an ampul-loading position in which saidampuls are loaded onto said plate and an ampul-lling position in whichsaid ampuls are respectively presented to said discharge means; andmeans coordinated with the movement of said plate to limit said pump toa single discharge during a single stay of said plate in ampul-llingposition.

15. A device for simultaneously lling a plurality of ampuls whichcomprises a pump, means for connecting said pump alternately to a sourceof supply of fluid and to a plurality of discharge means, a plate forcarrying a plurality of ampuls and movable between an ampul-loadingposition in which said ampuls are loaded onto said plate and anampul-lling position in which said ampuls are respectively presented tosaid discharge means, a continuously operated source of motive power, aclutch for intermittently transferring motive power to said pump, andmeans responsive to the movement of said plate to limit said clutch to asingle cycle of operation for each.

'15 traverse of said plate between successive ampullling position.

16. A device for simultaneously filling a plurality of ampuls whichcomprises a source of supply of fluid, a manifold having a `capacity atleast equal to the combined capacity of said plurality of ampuls. a pumphaving an intake cycle and a discharge cycle and connected alternatelyto said source and to said manifold, discharge means connected to saidmanifold, rst cut-0E means controlling `passage of fluid between saidsource .and said pump, lsecond cut-off means controlling passage of uidbetween said pump and said discharge means, and means synchronizcd withsaid pump for keeping said first cut-olf means closed and said secondcut-01T means open during the discharge cycle of said pump .and a minorportion of its succeeding intake cycle and for keeping said firstcut-off means open and said second cut-off means ,closed during theremainder of said intake cycle.

SIDNEY ERNEST HARRIS. CARL EMIL ENGEL.

References Cited in the nie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberNumber Name Date Jackson l Aug. 8, y1893 Reinhardt Mar. 20, 1906Willmann Aug.. 30, 1910 Weeks Oct. 30, 1928 Sickel V June 24, 1930Marzocchi July 11, ,1933 Schaeffer Sept. 5, 1933 Baldwin ,V Apr. 21,1936 Cozzoli Mar. 14, 1939 Chapman Mar. 12, 1940 Codney et a1. May 18,1943 Barker Aug. 28, 1945 Applezweig v Apr. 14, 1950 Gozzoli Nov. 14,195.0

FGREIGN PATENTS Country vDate Great Britain Jan. 19, 1945

